This book was very well written and certainly a unique concept, however, I found it difficult to read. It did not flow and I sometimes had trouble telling whether characters were animals, birds, or people. I rated it a three due to interesting writing style and originality - it was certainly like nothing I have read before. II just wish it were a bit more contiguous. ( )

This was a strange but semi-enjoyable book. Lots of talking animals (haven't experienced that since Pynchon's Mason & Dixon) and confusing time twists. This book was like Tom Robbins goes to Lake Wobegon. ( )

I found this book interesting and delightful. The eclectic characters were fascinating - even the talking animals. And even though the story seemed to jump around a bit, it still remained centered. The writing was excellent and I look forward to reading more by this author. ( )

AFTER THE FLOODS struck me as both whimsical and deep; I guess it kept me off-balance. I'm not a fan of magic realism, so it took me awhile to get into this story, which seems to contrast "good" and "evil" in several ways. The gifts of birds and time-warping in Cold Beak appealed to the childish side of my personality, while my adult side recognized their symbolism. My final analysis is that this was a thought-provoking book requiring serious study. ( )

After the Floods takes place shortly after Hurricane Katrina, after the flood waters had mostly receded from New Orleans leaving the living to cobble together their destroyed lives. The flood has not only left destruction in its wake, but a weird twist of the world where birds and dogs are able to talk.

The opening pages are narrated (literally) from a crow’s eye view as Ruby and George Corvus survey the damaged neighborhoods. The novel veers away from New Orleans eventually, and takes the reader to Cold Beak, Minnesota - a fictional town which has also found itself recovering from a flood. It is here in Minnesota where the majority of the story takes place - revealing the odd and eccentric characters who reside in this small town. Two brothers open a restaurant, an obese woman becomes famous with her striptease act meant to educate and motivate people about weight loss, a bizarre family cult acts out violently, and birds from all over the world flock to the area. In a matter of three weeks a decade’s worth of time is compressed and the town grows economically and spiritually. After the Floods gathers together a wide array of characters who pass in and out of each others lives, seeking recovery alongside a river which nourishes them and reminds them of their vulnerability.

In Henricksen’s fictional world, magic is allowed to become reality while various characters (including an omniscient ex-mayor and a young man who questions God through a series of emails) provide insight into such things as religion, social justice, war and death.

Henricksen’s writing is at turns sad, humorous and meditative. If there is a weakness in his prose it is that he never fully develops each character before moving on to the next. I will admit that magical realism is not the genre I typcially read and enjoy - so it is to Henricksen’s credit that I felt engaged in the novel from the start. After the Floods is comedic and spiritual, hopeful and despairing - it does not offer answers, but instead frames questions about life, death, faith and how our lives interconnect with others.

Readers who enjoy well-written magical realism will undoubtedly love this novel. Charming and memorable, it will make you look at the world around you just a little bit differently. ( )